Marriot Inks Deals For Seven New Properties In China
Marriott International has signed management agreements for seven additional hotels in China as a step in its plan double its presence in the country over the next five years.
China is Marriott's largest market outside of North America and the group expects to have 60 hotels open across six brands by the end of 2010, of which eight will be branded as Ritz-Carlton. Among properties the company is opening this year Ritz-Carlton hotels in Hong Kong and Shanghai Pudong.
The seven newly-signed hotels are:
The 320-room JW Marriott Hotel Dalian, which is owned by Liaoning Baocheng Real Estate Development Company. It is scheduled to open in 2013 and the hotel will be Marriott's first property in Dalian and ninth JW Marriott-branded hotel in China.
The upscale 507-room Renaissance Sanya Resort and Spa, which is owned by Sanya Zhonggang Fishery company. When it opens in 2011 it will be Marriott's third property in the greater Sanya area.
The deluxe 269-room Renaissance Zhuhai Hotel, which is owned by Guangyi Real Estate Development Company. It will open in 2013 as Marriott's first hotel in the city.
The moderately-priced 260-room Courtyard by Marriott Fuzhou Hotel, which is owned by Fuzhou Zhengfeng Real Estate. When it opens in 2013, the hotel will be Marriott's first property in Fuzhou.
The moderately-priced 265-room Courtyard by Marriott Kunshan, which is owned by Kunchan Dongzhixin Real Estate Company 2011 When opens in 2011 it will be Marriott's first hotel in Kunshan.
The upscale 350-room Hangzhou Marriott Hotel, owned by affiliates of Hualian Holding, a subsidiary of China Union Development Group. When it opens in 2014, it will be the fourth Marriott International branded hotel in the city.
The upscale 330-room Shanghai Marriott Hotel Minhang, which owned by an affiliate of Shanghai Minghjie Real Estate and Development Company is scheduled to open in 2015.
According to J.W. Marriott Jr., the chairman and chief executive officer of Marriott International, China is the world's most compelling tourism market today. He predicts that its tourism industry will host 2.1 billion domestic and international tourists in 2010, an increase of 12 percent over 2009 and that, within the next 10 years, China is expected to be the world's single largest source of international tourism and its number-one travel destination.